Where are they now: Martin O'Neill's star-studded Celtic XI that faced Stuttgart on route to 2003 UEFA Cup final

Martin O’Neill’s celebrated Celtic side once again finds itself in the spotlight as supporters recall the dramatic 2003 European adventure that carried the Scottish giants all the way to the UEFA Cup final. A pivotal chapter of that run was the breath-taking quarter-final tussle with German outfit VfB Stuttgart, a two-legged affair that ended 5-4 on aggregate in Celtic’s favour despite a nerve-shredding defeat on German soil.

The tie encapsulated everything that made O’Neill’s team so compelling: fearless attacking, raucous backing from the green-and-white faithful, and an unshakeable belief that no deficit was insurmountable. Having secured a commanding lead in Glasgow, Celtic were forced to weather a Stuttgart fight-back in the return fixture yet still managed to edge through, keeping alive dreams of a first continental trophy since 1967.

Now, two decades on, attention turns to the individuals who donned the famous hoops during that epic encounter. Where are the players who battled past the Bundesliga challengers and carried the hopes of a football-mad city on the cusp of European glory? From household names who became club legends to those whose careers took unexpected turns, the story of that starting XI offers a fascinating snapshot of a bygone era at Parkhead.

Celtic ultimately fell short in the final against Porto, but the memories of their swashbuckling run—Stuttgart included—remain etched in club folklore. Revisiting the squad list not only stirs nostalgia among supporters but also serves as a reminder of the talent, unity and resilience that defined Martin O’Neill’s tenure.